Dispensing apparatus for washing machine agitator



Feb. 27, 1968 R, H. WOLTERS DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed April 29, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENOR.

A 70/7N5Y Richard 19. [Jo/fem BY f 3 b- 1968 I R. H. WOLTERS 3,370,444

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed April 29, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. .7

- INVENTOR. Richard H. 14/0222";

H16 ATYORNE Y Feb. 27, 1968 R. H. WOLTERS 3,370,444

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed April 29, 1966 6 $heets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

Richard r?! Mdzem H15 ATTOR/Vf) Feb. 27, 1968 R, H. WOLTERS 3,370,444

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed April 29, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

f? 77? M0. 2 ers (9)3 A 7'7'ORNEY Feb. 27, 1968 R. H. WOLTERS 3,370,444

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1966 INVENTOR. Ric); ara 1'7) MaJfers 91s A'TYORNEY Feb. 27, 1968 R. H. WOLTERS 3,370,444

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR Filed April 29, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I E l6? ii: /0 g; r

INVENTOR.

H25 ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofi ice Patented Feb. 27, 1968 11 Claims. c1. 68-207) This is a continuation-in-part of my application (now abandoned) Ser. No. 375,188, filed June 15, 1964, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved means for dispensing a rinse agent such as a fabric softener therefrom at the conclusion of a spinning operation.

A centrifugally actuated dispenser of the type combined into an agitator cap is taught in the patent to Martin et al. 3,091,108, issued May 28, 1963. This invention relates to an improved version of such a dispenser which is selfcleaning and which includes means for retaining the rinse agent therein during the reciprocation thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved combination agitator cap and centrifugally actuated rinse agent dispenser.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a centrifugally actuated rinse agent dispenser adapted for installation on a vertically reciprocable and rotatable clothes washer agitator and including means for retaining the rinse agent therein during the vertical reciprocation thereof. 7

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a centrifugally actuated, vertically reciprocable dispenser having concentrically arranged chambers for sequentially receiving a rinse agent placed in the center thereof, the outer concentric chamber of which includes means for receiving a backwash of washing fluid when said dispenser is reciprocating for cleaning the rinse agent therefrom.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, of a clothes washer spin tub and agitator provided with the dispenser of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational view with parts broken away taken in the direction of arrow 2 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional .view, partly in elevation, of a clothes washer spin tub and agitator provided with a dispenser comprising another embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 8 is a top elevational view with parts broken away taken in the direction of arrow 8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation view of the dispenser shown in FIGURE 7 with parts broken away;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view of the dispenser shown in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1212 in FIGURE 9.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1, a fragmentary sectional view of a clothes washer spin tub or basket 10 is illustrated. An agitator 22 of the type taught in the patent to Bullock 3,132,500, issued May 12, 1964, is carried inside the spin tub 10 and an agitating and spinning mechanism (not shown) includes a spin shaft 24 connected to said spin tub for rotating said spin tub and an agitate shaft connected to said agitator for vertically reciprocating the agitator 22. A roller drive mechanism of the type taught in the patent to Brucken 3,087,321, issued Apr. 30, 1963, may be adapted for rotating the spin shaft 24 and for vertically reciprocating the agitate shaft 26.

The spin tub or basket assembly 10 is comprised of an imperforate tub bottom or water container portion 27, an annular tub rim housing or collar 28, and an annular tub rim 30. The tub rim housing 28 is formed with 21 depending flange 32 which is welded about its periphery to the upper edge of the tub bottom 27. The tub rim housing 28 also defines the spin tub access opening 34 and a plurality of circumferentially arranged outflow ports 36. In order to form a chamber 38 for receiving a ballast material such as a hematite ore, the tub rim 30 is welded along an upturned annular flange to the collar 34 of the tub rim housing-the lower end of the tub rim being welded to the tub rim housing just above the outflow ports 36.

Turning now to FIGURES l and 3, a rinse agent dispenser ,40 is shown attached to the upper end 42 of a cylindrical housing wall forming a hollow in the agitator 22 for receiving an open top bleach cup 43 of the type taught in the Bullock patent. The dispenser is comprised of an outer container portion or compartment forming means 44 and an inner container portion or chamber forming means 46 in nested relationship, both elements 44, 46 being formed of acrylonitrile styrene or other suitable material. A cap 48 is adapted to close an open ing 50 in the top of the outer housing 44 through which a rinse agent or a fabric softener is placed into the dispenser.

When the inner container 46 and the outer container 44 are nested, a central cup-like storage chamber 52 and an annular storage chamber 54 are formed which communicate with each other through an annular passage way 56 circumscrihing the top rim of the central chamber 52 and together hold approximately one cup of rinse agent. Radially outwardly of the storage chamber 54 is an annular compartment 58 adapted for receiving a rinse agent centrifuged from the chambers 52 and 54 when the dispenser 50 is rotating. Three centrifugal outflow ports or notches 60 are formed at the top of the radially outer annular wall 61 to provide for communication between chamber 54 and compartment 58. At the bottom of the compartment 58 are four rectangular drain out ports 62 which permit the outflow of rinse agent from the dispenser at the conclusion of spin into the spin tub 10.

The dispenser 40 is adapted for installation on the top of an agitator 22 which reciprocates. Vertically shaking a dispenser gives rise to the problem of retaining the rinse agent during the agitate or washing portion of the washing cycle. To solve this problem, the dispenser 40 is provided with annular bafile means which depends from the top 71 of the dispenser in front of the outflow ports 60 as a means to partially block the rinse agent from shaking into the outer compartment 58. Cooperating with the depending baffle 70 are three raised ramps 72 on the radially inner side of wall 61 and having their upper ends terminating just below each of the outflow ports 60 and extending from said Wall 61 into substantial engagement with said batfle means '70. The vertical shaking action of the dispenser 40 will create turbulence within the storage chamber 54, but this shaking action does not cause overflow through the ports 60 since the violently shaking rinsing agent is restricted to the areas between each of the ramps 72. In other words and referring to FIGURE 2, the rinse agent, during agitation, is confined to the arcuate chamber portions 7 3 between the ramps. 7

During the spin out of the rinsing agent it is necessary that the chambers 52 and 54 communicate with the atmosphere in order to prevent an air lock which would trap the rinsing agent and prevent it from centrifugally moving toward the outside of the dispenser. An air vent passageway 76 connects the chambers 52 and 54 with the compartment 58 and thus through the drain openings 62 to the atmosphere. The passageway 76 is formed by an inverted channel 77 on the top wall 76 and a notch 82 in the annular baffle means 70. A rib 80 extends upwardly from the bottom of chamber 54 into the notch 82 for indexing the inner container 46 with the outer container 44. In addition, the top of the rib 80 extends partially into said channel 77 forming therewith the vent passageway 76.

In order to fasten the dispenser 40 to the top of the hollow agitator column 42, springs 84 and 86, fastened as at 88, 90 to the underside of the inner container 46, cooperate with lugs such as 92 on the agitator column (FIGURES 4 and A screwing and unscrewing motion of the dispenser 49 relative to the agitator 22 effects a connection for holding the dispenser on the agitator. A pair of arcuate ribs 91, 93 ride on top of theagitator column 42 and include stepped transverse sections 95, 97 for centering the dispenser on the agitator.

Note in FIGURE 3 that with the dispenser 49 installed on the agitator 22, a cavity 94 is formed between the top of the agitator and the radially inner side wall of the compartment 58. As the agitator reciprocates water enters the cavity 94 and is forced through the outflow ports 62 into the compartment 58 for cleaning thereof. In order to improve'the cleaning out feature of this invention two additional ports such as 96 are positioned in a manner to place the chamber 58 in further communication with the cavity 94.

Inorder that the top of the bleach cup 43 is sealingly engaged with the dispenser, a narrow cavity or recess 98 is formed between the chambers 52 and 54 to receive the top of the bleach cup, the upward bias of the bleach cup cooperating with the locking bias of the springs 84, 86 to hold the dispenser 40 securely and non-rattingly on the top of the agitator.

Another embodiment of this invention is disclosed in FIGURES 7 to 12, inclusive, with parts which are similar to those disclosed in connection with the first embodiment having the same reference numerals. The dispenser of this embodiment is particularly adapted for use with clothes washers having lower spin speeds and is adapted to centrifugally release its charge at speeds as low as 85 r.p.m.

Turning now to the drawings and, more particularly. FIGURE 9, a rinse agent dispenser 140 is shown attached to the upper end of the cylindrical housing wall forming a hollow in the agitator 22 for receiving an open top bleach cup 43 of the type taught in the aforementioned Bullock patent or of an improved type disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 396,632, filed Sept. 15, 1964, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

The second embodiment of this dispenser is comprised of an outer container portion or compartment forming means 144 8.500 inches in diameter by 1 inches deep exclusive of opening collar and a liquid container or chamber forming means 146 5.812 inches in diameter by 1 inches deep in nested relationship, both elements 144 and 146 being formed of acrylonitrile styrene or other suitable material-A cap 148 is adapted to close an opening collar 150 2 inches in diameter and extending M2 inch above the top of the outer housing 144 and through which a rinse agent, fabric softener or other iquid wash agent is placed in the dispenser. When the liquid container 146 and the outer container 144 are nested, a central parabolic-shaped, cup-like storage chamber 152 and an annular storage chamber 154 are formed which communicate with each other through inch radius passageways 156 formed in the lower edge of a flange or skirt 157 4.500 inch in diameter which depends from the compartment forming means 14 into touching engagement with the cup-like wall of the chamber forming means 146. Radially outwardly of the storage chamber 154 is an annular compartment 158 adapted for receiving a rinse agent centrifuged from the chambers 152 and 154 when the dispenser 140 is rotating. Twelve .219 inch by A; inch deep centrifugal outflow ports or notches 169 are formed at the top of the radially outer annular wall 161 to provide communication between the chamber 154 and compartment 158. At the bottom of the compartment 158 are four downwardly opening arcuate drain out ports 162 inch wide by /2. inch long which permit the outflow of rinse agent from the dispenser at the conclusion of spin into the spin tub 1i The dispenser 140 is adapted for installation on the top of the agitator 22 which is reciprocable. Vertically shaking a dispenser gives rise to the problem of retaining the rinse agent during reciprocation and, to solve this problem, the dispenser 140 is provided with a plurality of /8 inch arcuate bafiie means 170 which extend upwardly from the cup-shaped element 146, respectively, in front of each of the outflow ports as a means to partially.

lock the agent from shaking'into the outer compartment 158. Cooperating with the depending bafi'le is the depending flange 157 and the dished out or parabolic configuration of the element 146. The vertical shaking action of the dispenser 40 will create turbulence and frothing within the storage chamber 154 but this shaking action does not cause outflow through the ports 160 since the violently shaking rinsing agent is generally bounced by the curvature of the wall toward the center of the storage chamber 152 and away from chamber 154. Apparently, the wall angle of the cup 146 tends to move the liquid from the chamber 154 into the chamber 152 and the baflie or flange -157 prevents it from moving back, With this construction, the chamber 154 will actually empty itself of liquid during vertical reciprocation of the dispenser. Thus, when the liquid and the air expand due to increasing temperatures occasioned by the hot wash water, the air that is in the chamber 154 escapes rather than the liquid which has been transferred from the chamber 154 into the chamber 152 where it is retained through out the reciprocating portion of the clothes agitation cycle. In particular, the curvature of the wall formed by element 146 is such that rinse agent contained therein will be centrifugally released therefrom at a spin speed of 85 rpm. or above.

The baflle means for the ports 160 may also include a plurality of inch splash baflles 173, respectively, on the radially outer side of each of the outflow ports 160 in a manner which places each outflow port 160 between one of the outer baflles 173 and one of the inner baffles 170. The outer splash baflles 173 were added to prevent the overflow rinse water in the tub '10 from backsplashing into the cup 152. This is undesirable since this water would be returned to the tub after the last spin out of the wash cycle, thereby leaving a puddle of water in the tube after the clothes washing cycle is completed.

To prevent an air lock which would trap the rinsing agent and to prevent the rinse agent from centrifugally moving toward the outside of the dispenser, the dispenser 141), in similar fashion to the first embodiment, includes an air vent passageway 176 connecting chambers 152, 154, and 158 to each other and to the atmosphere through the drain openings 162.

As with the first embodiment, the dispenser 140 also is constructed to prevent the rinse agent from dropping directly onto the clothes where it would cause stains. Moreover, the dispenser is designed to provide self-cleaning of the compartment 158 during reciprocation of the dispenser during a rinse cycle subsequent to a dispensing operation. Both of these desirable functions are provided in an inner container portion or means 189 partially defining the outer compartment 158 and carrying the fastening means 182 which, in the case of the dispenser 140, are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment dispenser 40.

The inner container portion 180 includes the drain openings 162 and a pair of depending skirts 184 which arcuately lie adjacent each pair of drain openings 162 on the outboard side thereof to form a protected area or channel 186 when the dispenser is mounted on the agitator 22. This protected area is adapted to be closely adjacent the agitator when the dispenser is mounted thereon for directing rinse agent being discharged from the dispenser onto said agitator ahead of said clothes basket, or tub, thereby to prevent direct contact by said rinse agent With said clothes. This is so because the rinse agent will cascade down over the rings of the agitator and onto the bottom wall of the tub at the conclusion of spin where it will be diluted by the incoming rinse Water. The clothes are out of contact from this part of the tub in view of their centrifuged position along the outer wall of the tub and, thus, will not be stained by direct contact with the rinse agent. Moreover, the channel 186 formed between the protective bafile 184 and the agitator 22 will serve to direct liquid splashing in the tub during reciprocation of the agitator into the compartment 158 through the drain openings 1&2, thereby to clean the compartment of rinse agent residue after the rinse agent is discharged.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation, and a rinsing operation, a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposed within said clothes basket, a bleach cup in said agitator having an open top portion extending above said agitator, drive means vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid centrifugally from said clothes and causing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, and a rinse agent dispenser mounted on said agitator for dischargin a rinse agent after said extraction operation to treat the liquid in said basket during said rinsing operation, said dispenser including receptacle means forming a. cup-shaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous overfiow communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof at said top opening, removable cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said agitator during said extraction operation and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in said storage chambers during said washing operation, said retaining means including bafiie means extending in front of said inlet port means and spaced therefrom on the radially inner side thereof and ramp means wider than said inlet port means extending from the bottom of said second storage chamber along the radially outer wall thereof to a position below said inlet port means, the top of said ramp means substantially filling the space between said inlet port means and said bafile means whereby to cause said rinse agent to go around said ramp means to reach said inlet port means during said extraction operation, and means or discharging the rinse agent into said basket at the close of'said extraction operation, said compartment forming means defining with said receptacle means a downwardly opening cavity having a first portion including said discharging means for receiving the top of said agitator and in con+ tinuous open communication with said basket, said first portion of said cavity serving to direct liquid splashing from said basket in said rinse operation into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged, said downwardly opening cavity having a second portion confined between said first and second storage chambers for receiving the open top portion of said bleach cup, thereby to prevent the egress of bleach from said bleach cup through the open top portion thereof.

2. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the portion of said receptacle means forming said first storage chamber resides in said bleach cup.

3. The washing machine of claim 1 including lock spring means on said dispenser cooperating with the top of said agitator and the bias of said bleach cup to retain said dispenser on said agitator.

4. In a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation, and a rinsing operation, a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposed within said clothes basket, drive means vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid centrifugally from said clothes and cansing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, and a rinse agent dispenser mounted on said agitator for discharging a rinse agent after said extraction operation to treat the liquid in said basket during said rinsing operation, said dispenser including receptacle means formng a cup-shaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous overflow communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof at said top opening, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said agitator during said extraction operation and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in said storage chambers during said washing operation, said retaining means including baflle means extending in front of said inlet port means and spaced therefrom on the radially inner side thereof and ramp means wider than said inlet port means extending from the bottom of said second storage chamber along the radially outer wall thereof to a position below said inlet port means, the top of said ramp means substantially filling the space between said inlet port means and said baffle means whereby to cause said rinse agent to g around said ramp means to reach said inlet port means during said extraction operation, and means for discharging the rinse agent into said basket at the close of said extraction operation, said compartment forming means defining with said receptacle means a downwardly opening cavity having a portion including. said discharging means for receiving the top of said agitator and in continuous open communication with said basket, said portion of said cavity serving to direct liquid splashing from. said basket in said rinse operation into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged.

5. For use with a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation, and a rinsing operation, a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposedwithin said clothes. basket, drive means vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid centrifugally from said clothes and causing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, a rinse agent dispenser adapted for mounting on said agitator for rotation and vertical reciprocation therewith and for discharging a rinse agent after said rotation, said dispenser including receptacle means forming a cup-shaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous overflow communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof at said top opening, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said dispenser and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in said storage chambers upon the vertical reciprocation of 1 said dispenser, said retaining means including bafiie means extending in front of said inlet port means a spaced distance from the radially inner side thereof and blocking means wider than said inlet port means extending from the radially outer wall thereof to a position below said stantially the distance between said inlet port means and said batiie means whereby to cause said rinse agent to go around said blocking means to reach said inlet port means upon rotation of said dispenser, and means for discharging the rinse agent at the close of said dispenser rotation, said compartment forming means defining with said receptacle means a downwardly opening cavity having a portion including said discharging means in continuous open communication with the atmosphere, said portion of said cavity serving to direct liquid splashing upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged.

6. For use with a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation and a rinsing operation, and having a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposed within said clothes basket and drive means for vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid 'centrifugally from said clothes and causing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, a rinse agent dispenser adapted for mounting on said agitator for rotation and vertical reciprocation therewith and for discharging a rinse agent after said rotation, said dispenser including receptacle means forming a cup-shaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said dispenser and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in at least one of said storage chambers upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, said retaining means including the configuration of said receptacle means adapted to bounce said rinse agent toward the center of said first storage chamber and away from said second storage cham ber, bafiie means extending in front of said inlet port means a spaced distance from the radially inner side thereof and blocking means wider than said inlet port means in direct fiow blocking relationship with said inlet port means, whereby to cause said rinse agent to go around said blocking means to reach said inlet port means upon rotation or vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, and means for discharging the rinse agent at the close of said dispenser rotation, said compartment forming means defininlet port means, said blocking means extending sub- 7 ing with said agitator when mounted thereon a downwardly openin cavity having a portion including said discharging means in continuous open communication with the atmosphere, said portion defining a protected area adapted to be closely adjacent said agitator for directing rinse agent being discharged onto said agitator ahead of said clothes basket thereby to prevent direct contact by said rinse agent with said clothes, and said portion adapted to form with said agitator a channel serving to direct liquid splashing upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged.

7. For use with a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation and a rinsing operation, and having a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposed within said clothes basket and drive means for vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid centrifugally from said clothes and causing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, a rinse agent dispenser adapted for mounting on said agitator for rotation and vertical reciprocation therewith and for discharging a rinse agent after said rotation, said dispenser including receptacle means forming a cup-shaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of siad dispenser and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in at least one of said storage chambers upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, said retaining means including bafiie means extending in front of said inlet port means a spaced distance from the radially inner side thereof and blocking means wider than said inlet port means in direct flow blocking relationship with said inlet port means, whereby to cause said rinse agent to go around said blocking means to reach said inlet port means upon rotation or vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, and means for discharging the rinse agent at the close of said dispenser rotation,

said compartment forming means defining with said agitator when mounted thereon a downwardly opening cavity having a portion including said discharging means in continuous open communication with the atmosphere, said portion defining a protected area adapted to be closely adjacent said agitator for directing rinse agent-being discharged onto said agitator ahead of said clothes basket thereby to prevent direct contact by said rinse agent with said clothes, and said portion adapted to form with said agitator a channel serving to direct liquid splashing upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged.

8. For use with a washing machine adapted to proceed through a sequence of operations including a washing operation, a centrifugal extraction operation and a rinsing operation, and having a rotatable clothes basket, an agitator disposed within said clothes basket and drive means for vertically reciprocating said agitator for washing clothes and for rotating said basket to extract liquid centrifugally from said clothes and causing said agitator to rotate with said basket during the rotation thereof, a rinse agent dispenser adapted for mounting on said agitator for rotation and vertical reciprocation therewith and for discharging a rinse agent after said rotation, said dispenserv including receptacle means forming a cupshaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous communica tion therewith along a radially inner portion thereof, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said dispenser and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in at least one of said storage chambers upon the Vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, said retaining means including the configuration of said receptacle means adapted to bounce said rinse agent toward the center of said first storage chamber and away from said second storage chamber, whereby to empty said second storage chamber during vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, and means for discharging the rinse agent at the close of said dispenser rotation, said compartment forming means defining With said agitator when mounted thereon a downwardly opening cavity having a portion including said discharging means in continuous open communication with the atmosphere, said portion defining a protected area adapted to be closely adjacent said agitator for directing rinse agent being discharged onto said agitator ahead of said clothes basket thereby to prevent direct contact by said rinse agent with said clothes, and said portion adapted to form with said agitator a channel serving to direct liquid splashing upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser into said compartment through said discharge means thereby to clean said compartment of rinse agent residue after said rinse agent is discharged.

9. The rinse agent dispenser or" claim 8 wherein said configuration is a parabolic curve adapted to centrifugally release rinse agent in said receptacle means when said receptacle means is being rotated at a predetermined value.

10. The rinse agent dispenser of claim '8 wherein said portion is a depending arcuate flange outboard of said discharging means.

11. A rinse agent dispenser adapted for mounting on an agitator for rotation and vertical reciprocation therewith and for discharging a rinse agent after said rotation, said dispenser including receptacle means forming a cupshaped first storage chamber having a top opening and an annular second storage chamber radially outwardly from said first storage chamber and in continuous communication therewith along a radially inner portion thereof, cover means for said top opening, means forming a compartment radially outwardly from said second storage chamber for receiving and retaining said rinse agent upon the rotation of said dispenser and having inlet port means opening toward and in communication with said second storage chamber, means for retaining said rinse agent in at least one of said storage chambers upon the vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, said retaining means including the configuration of said receptacle means adapted to bounce said rinse agent toward the center of said first storage chamber and away from said second storage chamber, whereby to empty said second storage chamher during vertical reciprocation of said dispenser, and means for discharging the rinse agent at the close of said dispenser rotation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,091,108 5/1963 Martin et al.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WASHING MACHINE ADAPTED TO PROCEED THROUGH A SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS INCLUDING A WASHING OPERATION, A CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTION OPERATION, AND A RINSING OPERATION, A ROTATABLE CLOTHES BASKET, AN AGITATOR DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CLOTHES BASKET, A BLEACH CUP IN SAID AGITATOR HAVING AN OPEN TOP PORTION EXTENDING ABOVE SAID AGITATOR, DRIVE MEANS VERTICALLY RECIPROCATING SAID AGITATOR FOR WASHING CLOTHES AND FOR ROTATING SAID BASKET TO EXTRACT LIQUID CENTRIFUGALLY FROM SAID CLOTHES AND CAUSING SAID AGITATOR TO ROTATE WITH SAID BASKET DURING THE ROTATION THEREOF, AND A RINSE AGENT DISPENSER MOUNTED ON SAID AGITATOR FOR DISCHARGING A RINSE AGENT AFTER SAID EXTRACTION OPERATION TO TREAT THE LIQUID IN SAID BASKET DURING SAID RINSING OPERATION, SAID DISPENSER INCLUDING RECEPTACLE MEANS FORMING A CUP-SHAPED FIRST STORAGE CHAMBER HAVING A TOP OPENING AND AN ANNULAR SECOND STORAGE CHAMBER RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST STORAGE CHAMBER AND IN CONTINUOUS OVERFLOW COMMUNICATION THEREWITH ALONG A RADIALLY INNER PORTION THEREOF AT SAID TOP OPENING, REMOVABLE COVER MEANS FOR SAID TOP OPENING, MEANS FORMING A COMPARTMENT RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SECOND STORAGE CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING AND RETAINING SAID RINSE AGENT UPON THE ROTATION OF SAID AGITATOR DURING SAID EXTRACTION OPERATION AND HAVING INLET PORT MEANS OPENING TOWARD AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SECOND STORAGE CHAMBER, MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID RINSE AGENT IN SAID STORAGE CHAMBERS DURING SAID WASHING OPERATION, SAID RETAINING MEANS INCLUDING BAFFLE MEANS EXTENDING IN FRONT OF SAID INLET PORT MEANS AND SPACED THEREFROM ON THE RADIALLY INNER SIDE THEREOF AND RAMP MEANS WAIDER THAN SAID INLET PORT MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID SECOND STORAGE CHAMBER ALONG THE RADIALLY OUTER WALL THEREOF TO A POSITION BELOW SAID INLET PORT MEANS, THE TOP OF SAID RAMP MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID INLET PORT MEANS AND SAID BAFFLE MEANS WHEREBY TO CAUSE SAID RINSE AGENT TO GO AROUND SAID RAMP MEANS TO REACH SAID INLET PORT MEANS DURING SAID EXTRACTION OPERATION, AND MEANS OR DISCHARGING THE RINSE AGENT INTO SAID BASKET AT THE CLOSE OF SAID EXTRACTION OPERATION, SAID COMPARTMENT FORMING MEANS DEFINING WITH SAID RECEPTACLE MEANS A DOWNWARDLY OPEN ING CAVITY HAVING A FIRST PORTION INCLUDING SAID DISCHARGING MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE TOP OF SAID AGITATOR AND IN CONTINUOUS OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID BASKET, SAID FIRST PORTION OF SAID CAVITY SERVING TO DIRECT LIQUID SPLASHING FROM SAID BASKET IN SAID RINSE OPERATION INTO SAID COMPARTMENT THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE MEANS THEREBY TO CLEAN SAID COMPARTMENT OF RINSE AGENT RESIDUE AFTER SAID RINSE AGENT IS DISCHARGED, SAID DOWNWARDLY OPENING CAVITY HAVING A SECOND PORTION CONFINED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND STORAGE CHAMBERS FOR RECEIVING THE OPEN TOP PORTION OF SAID BLEACH CUP, THEREBY TO PREVENT THE EGRESS OF BLEACH FROM SAID BLEACH CUP THROUGH THE OPEN TOP PORTION THEREOF. 